SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (Interstat) — A struggling Long Beach State team aims to build on its first win in nearly two weeks when it opens Big West Conference play on the road Thursday against a surging UC Santa Barbara. The 49ers (2-6) snapped a three-game skid with a 76-72 home win over San Diego on Sunday, powered by a 30-point performance from Gavin Sykes. The Gauchos (6-2) have won five of their last six, most recently a 74-71 victory over Seattle on Saturday behind 20 points from Zion Sensley. The matchup pits the conference’s top offense in UCSB (82.4 ppg) against a Long Beach State defense that has allowed 77.1 points per game. The Gauchos’ early success includes a 4-0 record at home in the Thunderdome. Long Beach State’s Petar Majstorovic, who had 14 points and six assists Sunday, will be tasked with helping counter a balanced UCSB attack that features Sensley, Miro Little (12.4 ppg, 5.4 apg) and Hosana Kitenge (11.9 ppg, 7.4 rpg). Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. PST. Long Beach State hosts UC San Diego on Saturday. UC Santa Barbara hosts Cal State Bakersfield the same day.